Keeping those New Year's Resolutions

Something magical happens when you tell people about your New Year's Resolutions. Some scoff and roll their eyes, some remind you of how you tried to accomplish the same goals last year and failed miserably, the there are the friends who pitch in an join you. This year I've set three goals to accomplish:
1) earn my blue belt in karate
2) publish 2 books
3) run a 5km race
Nearly a month into my resolutions, I can say I'm making progress!
a) I'm working hard at karate doing 3 classes per week.
b) I'm editing the second book in my Wild Blue Mysteries series and awaiting edits from my agent on the first book of my newest series. (two possible books!!)  I am also doing a read through of the proof of The Bookstore Lady and having copies printed this year. Finally, a book launch will be possible!!
c) I'm getting on the treadmill and power walk or run every second day. A friend and I are seeking a fun 5km to run and I have friends organizing a group 100km run in September!


Wow! What a kick start to 2014!
Stay tuned to see what else is in store!!

Happy New Year!

Christmas is over, the New Year has begun and the decorations are on their way back to storage for another eleven months. It's nearly time to settle back into routine and take control of the things I want to accomplish this year.
I am looking forward to working on my newest novel and returning it to my agent over the next couple of weeks.
I plan to grade for my next belt in karate early this year. Green to Blue! My sensei (and boss!) even gave me a new uniform for Christmas! Talk about incentive.
I am doing research to get my current e-book into print.
I want to get my eating and exercise habits back on track.
Those are only the goals for the first few months. There are so many other things I want to do this year!

The other night, I watched Eat, Pray, Love. Wow. I love Julia Roberts! I also loved some of the messages the story offered: to relax and enjoy the food we eat and keep a sense of awe, to allow ourselves to become unnerved from time to time in order to live life to the fullest, to take a chance.

Wonderful couple of get-togethers with some great friends lately. One thing lacking in my life lately is spending time with girlfriends. Certainly have done that this past week. Last night in particular was a blast! Lots of wine spritzers, lots of food and lots of laughter. Sure, we hung out with our husbands too, but connecting with two wonderful ladies lifted my spirits more than anything! One of the families owns a cottage near a beach so we made plans to get together again and have even more laughs. Just us girls. I can't wait!

Slowing down over the holidays has allowed me to sit back and take stock of how crazy my life was becoming. How disconnected I was not only from others but from myself. 2013 was a busy, crazy, roller coaster year. While it's hard to slow life down and change the challenges life throws at me, I can change the way I deal with things.
Yes, it sounds like the same old resolutions: eat better, drink less, exercise more, etc.  So far, I'm Day 3 without coffee. I'm Day 2 into exercising. Day 4 into looking for the joy and happiness wherever I find them.

What expectations have you set for yourself for 2014?

The Great Procrastinator

If there's one thing I'm great it, it's procrastinating.
It's true.
If I weren't so darn good at it I'd already be published several times over, my house would be spotless and my kids would have the cleanest, most hole-free clothes on the block.
Alas, this is one area in which I excel.

Then I get those phases where I see a job that needs to be done and get it done before I have the opportunity to put it off. No seizing the chance to procrastinate - I jump before the dust can settle and get things done. In general, I'm not exactly a go-getter. Nope, not me. But the more I sit back, the more nothing gets accomplished.

Query letters don't write themselves. Novels don't edit themselves. (Although the kids are learning to cook and clean.) In short, no one else will do it for me. At the end of the day, it's ME who has to put on my "game face" and do what must be done if I ever want my novels to grace the shelves of Coles, Chapters and Amazon. I am the only person who cares if my work is ever published.

Every little triumph I have, whether it be publishing a photograph or short story in a magazine, a story or poem in an anthology or a full-length novel in bookform or on-line is added to my list of accomplishments. Every year, that list grows a little bit longer. This year alone, I am part of two anthologies - the second due for release by Christmas (I hope!) called A Walk in Fields of Gold.

Procrastination gets you nowhere.

Rolling up your shirtsleeves and working hard to make your dreams come true can get you much farther.
I know I'm a month ahead of schedule, but I have two Resolutions for 2011.
Number 1: I'm working harder than ever to get my novels published. I have two that are ready aside from a great hook and cover letter.
Number 2: I'm taking better care of ME next year. It's hard keep on top of things when you feel like someone ran you over with a team of sled dogs.

To be honest, I was going to post Chapter One of Date with a Dead Guy but...I procrastinated.
I'll get right on that. Soon. Maybe.

Keep on Writing.